Signs & Symptoms
of Sleep Apnea
Usually, the first signs of OSA are recognized by the bed partner rather than the patient. Many people affected by sleep apnea have no complaints. The following symptoms can indicate the presence of sleep apnea. If you or your partner notice one or more of these, please contact our office.
Symptoms in Adults
- Snoring
- Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Restlessness during sleep, difficulty sleeping
- Waking at night short of breath or a sensation of gasping or choking
- Headaches
- Waking multiple times per night to use the bathroom
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon awakening
- Acid Reflux
- Intellectual impairment, such as trouble concentrating, forgetfulness, or irritability
- Night sweats
- Sexual dysfunction
To know for certain if you have obstructive sleep apnea, we can work with your doctor to get a diagnosis. This normally requires a sleep study. If you do not have a doctor already, don’t worry. We work with many doctors and can help facilitate a sleep test for you.
Symptoms in Children
- Poor school performance
- Sluggishness or sleepiness, often misinterpreted as laziness in the classroom
- Daytime mouth breathing and swallowing difficulty
- Inward movement of the ribcage when inhaling
- Unusual sleeping positions, such as sleeping on the hands and knees, or with the
neck hyper-extended
- Excessive sweating at night
- Learning and behavioral disorders
- Bedwetting: It becomes a concern if it happens to someone over the age of 7 and accidents happen at least twice per week for at least three months in a row. There are many causes of bedwetting, but it is treatable.